Eastlake to the Show: Mike Sarbaugh enjoyed strong run as minor-league manager

Former Captains manager Mike Sarbaugh is living his major-league dream today as the third-base coach for the Indians.
He had that same dream for five years as a player in the Indians’ farm system.
After hanging up the spikes in 1995, Sarbaugh recalibrated his aspirations and started the climb through the minor leagues as a coach and manager.
As he worked his way up the ladder, getting his first managerial assignment in 2004 at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley, Sarbaugh permitted himself to think about getting to the major leagues without allowing it to become a distraction.
Sarbaugh was promoted to the top job in Lake County after leading Mahoning Valley to the New York-Penn League title in 2004.
“I always enjoyed what I was doing as a coach or manager in the minor leagues,’’ Sarbaugh said recently before a game at Progressive Field.
“If that path carried me here, fine, If it didn’t, that wasn’t going to diminish the experience.”
Sarbaugh’s extraordinary track record as a minor-league manager made it impossible for the Indians not to notice.
In nine seasons, he won five league titles and four Manager of the Year awards.
With a career minor-league managing record of 697-511, he got the call he’d been waiting for in 2013 when newly hired Indians manager Terry Francona asked him to be part of the major-league coaching staff.
“A lot of memories flooded back, memories of all the hard work and all the people who helped me get to that point,” Sarbaugh said.
During his time as a minor-league manager and, now, as a Tribe coach, he’s watched a good number of players he worked with get their first opportunities to play in the big leagues.
“It’s very rewarding, especially if it’s someone you feel you had a little part in getting to that point,” Sarbaugh said.
Off the top of his head, Sarbaugh singled out Josh Tomlin, Roberto Perez, Chris Gimenez and Argenis Reyes as players he managed in the minors whose promotions to the major leagues were particularly satisfying to him.
All are former Captains.
“You identify guys who are a little under the radar, but you think they have that special something that them a chance to get to the big leagues,” Sarbaugh said.
When he was managing the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, from 2010-12, Sarbaugh had opportunities to deliver the best possible news to many players.
“In those situations, I’ve seen tears and smiles,’’ Sarbaugh said. “For a minor-league manager, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

About the Author

David has been a full-time writer with The News-Herald since 1984. He writes about news, sports and entertainment, He served as president of the Television Critics Association from 1993-95. Reach the author at dglasier@News-Herald.com
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